James Wolfe

Full title:

Dates:

1727-1759

Claim to fame:

An Army training reformer who attained high rank at a very youthful age, he was both victor and victim of the battle of Quebec where he died on the battlefield.

James Wolfe (1727–59) was Britain’s most celebrated military hero of the eighteenth century. His important victory over the French at Quebec on 13 September 1759 resulted in the unification of Canada and the American colonies under the British crown. But his death at the moment of victory earned him a reputation as a patriotic martyr that was unmatched by any British hero until Nelson.

Wolfe was born at Westerham, Kent, the eldest son of Lieutenant-General Edward Wolfe. He was a career soldier and entered the Army in 1741 aged 14. At the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 he caught the attention of the Duke of Cumberland, who then helped to promote Wolfe’s early career. Wolfe fought at Culloden in 1746 and saw further service in Scotland and Ireland during the 1750s. His tactical theories and significant improvements to firing and bayonet techniques were an important part of his legacy and were posthumously published as ‘General Wolfe’s Instructions to Young Officers’ (1768).

During the Seven Years War (1756-63), Wolfe distinguished himself during the aborted assault on Rochefort in 1757, going ashore to scout the terrain prior to the raid. He also tried to persuade the commander of the operation, General Sir John Mordaunt, to act more decisively. Wolfe informed Mordaunt that he could capture Rochefort if he was given just 500 men but the general refused him permission. He again came to prominence at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758, commanding a brigade there with great skill. This led to his appointment, at the age of 32, as major-general in command of the Quebec expedition in 1759.

Wolfe experienced months of frustration and ill health, and many thought the operation would fail. Then, at dawn on 13 September, Wolfe led his men in carrying out a plan for which he took full credit: using flat-bottomed landing craft to take his 4,500 troops up the St Lawrence River, landing them south-west of the city, and scaling the Heights of Abraham to surprise the French and draw them out of the city and into battle exactly where he wanted to fight. It was a bold plan which relied on a mix of good-judgement and luck, but it worked.

Wolfe was fatally wounded early in the battle but lived long enough to hear of his victory. He was an inspirational leader, who, like other great generals, was loved by his men. After the battle, Lieutenant Henry Browne, who held Wolfe as he lay dying, wrote to his father of the Army’s reaction to Wolfe’s death: ‘I cant compare it to any thing better, than to a family in tears & sorrow which had just lost their father, their friend & their whole Dependance’.

When news of Wolfe’s death reached Britain, it seized the public imagination. He was seen as a young, heroic martyr and a paragon of martial virtue. As the greatest military hero of the mid-eighteenth century, Wolfe was universally celebrated in paintings, prints and other forms of popular culture.

Major (later Major-General) James Wolfe, c1750. Miniature, Indian ink and pencil on paper, by James Ferguson (1710-76).

28 comments

Lieutenant James Wolfe then at the Battle Of Culloden in April 1746 refused to shoot a fellow officer on the Jacobite side . This other officer was I think a Fraser clan chief who had been wounded in action .

By capturing Quebec Wolfe helped to bring hostilities in North America to a speedier conclusion than might otherwise have been the case. Despite poor health, his uncertainty about how to attain his goal and the lateness of the season for such a decisive campaign he overcame all odds to achieve an important victory, one of the most important in the Seven Years war.

Most celebrated of the 18th century? Where as I feel Wolfe was one of the ablest British Generals of that century I would personally suggest John Churchil the First Duke of Marlborough might argue on the wider claim.

On Culloden Battlefield it was Charles Fraser of Inverallochy (eldest son of "Old Inverallochy") he denied to shoot. 21 years old Charles was Lt.Col. and substituted Simon Fraser of Lovat (son of "the Ol' Criminal"), the Fraser's regiment Col., who was on desperate search of provisions that chilly april day. Wolfe was then Brevet Major and it is still not clear if the order was either given by the Duke of Cumberland or Maj.Gen. "Hangman" Hawley. Charles Fraser was mortally wounded and not able to act, having spearheaded the onslaught onto Sempills regiment with a breakthrough of the first two Hanoverian rows. After Wolfe refused as said "I am here at your disposal but not to lose my honour, Sir!", six more officers refused and a sergeant was forced to carry out the order by threat of death penalty on the spot.
Wolfe's character brought the Frasers of Lovat and Inverallochy to rally and support British Troops in the American Theatre since 1757. How much the Culloden aftermath is linked to the battle on the plains of Abraham on Sept. 13th 1759 relating to Wolfe could tell the death of Simon Fraser, younger brother of the above mentioned Charles. Simon served as a captain in the Fraser's regiment and was severely wounded into the hip near the spot where Wolfe received his mortal wound. A month later Simon died aged 27 caused by his received wound. Simon enlisted on behalf of Wolfe, as many Frasers already living for several years in (French!) Canada or the British colonies did also.
Wolfe's health had been unfirm since birth. His self-assessment of his conditions was always intact but notwithstanding he overstrained his physical abilities at any time regardlessly. That made him sometimes acting fatally harsh in gaining the day. But nevertheless he earned his soldiers unfailing loyality, they shared the same sleeping ground, stood the same volleys, grappeld the same spades to dig trenches. He never charged his soldiers to carry out what he ever wouldn't do on his own. That made this Man great and remarkable.
I think his character should be more regarded as the circumstances of the war theatres that led to Churchill's extraordinary reputation. Wolfe was devoted english, made even friends among devoted Jacobites by being himself, was never payed a yearly 6,000 bp apanage by doubtful characters from abroad, never offered a political both-side-flirting like Churchill did and never inflicted rumours of treason on Britain. If I, as a German, were allowed to judge, Wolfe is the most distinguished and outstanding leading british General of his times and age concerning his character. And by far one of the few Generals of his time who was able to measure the scales of risk, feasibility and effect instinctively and rightaway. I wouldn't put it past him that he was able to manage wider theatres if it didn't end up on Abrahams Plains. If war is necessary at all.
If Newcastle would have detached him onto the German Theatre in 1757 instead of Cumberland the war could have ended probably in 1760, too. France couldn't threat the colonies for no longer than 1760 by lack of shipping-capacities. A million people in the colonies outnumbering the 70,000 French in Canada.

My father who is Stephen ducker is related to James Wolfe we live in London. My father has family all over the world he says and I would love to find my family so if that's you above please leave a comment thx

If Wolfe is in the list, then I am surprised Brock is not. Not that Brock (or Wolfe) deserved to be in the top runners, but Brock was every bit as capable, if not more so, as Wolfe and rather less of a loony.

Hi my grandmother mother is buried next to James family Eliza in Chelsea if you are related to this man maybe we could be long lost family as my father told me he's has family all over the world but lost touch many years ago I would love to find my family thank you for reading.

James Wolfe was known as "The Red-Haired Corporal" by the Fraser Highlanders 78th of foot, due to the gold aiguillette (similar to a corporal's white worsted shoulder knot) that hung from his right shoulder, these were the men who would take the Heights of Abraham. One of the best accounts of the French-Indian War was by James Thompson a Gentleman Volunteer, who as a sergeant in the Fraser Highlanders, he kept a diary of anecdotical stories, "Whack went the Broadsword", which tell of the sheer brutality of war, A Bard of Wolfe's Army by Chapman & McCulloch is a fantastic read.

Inverness, 17 April 1746
The Duke engaged with the rebel army, and in about an hour drove them from the field of battle, where they left near 1500 dead; the rest, except prisoners, escaped by the neighbourhood of the hills.
The rebels posted themselves on a high boggy moor, where they imagined our cannon and cavalry would be useless; but both did essential service. The cannon in particular made them very uneasy, and after firing a quarter of an hour, obliged them to change their situation and move forward some 100 yards to attack our front line of Foot, which they did with more fury than prudence, throwing down their firearms, and advancing with their drawn swords. They were however repulsed, and ran off with the greatest precipitation, and the Dragoons falling in amongst them completed the victory with much slaughter. We have taken about 20 pieces of cannon in the field and 700 prisoners, amongst which are all the Irish piquets, and broadswords, plaids innumberable.
Orders were publicly given in the rebel army, the day before the action, that no quarter should be given to our troops. We had an opportunity of avenging ourselves, and I assure you as few prisoners were taken of the Highlanders as possible.... May they ever be punished in the same manner who attempt the like!

Right! The letters home sounded a different way also. He was young, a devoted soldier and trapped by his loyality to King and Cumberland. To a man who falsified Murrays daily order by crossing out "... 'shall any quarter' be given..." and replacing above it with his own handwriting 'shall no quarter'.

It doesn't mean to call Wolfe's behaviour humanly or even more humanly than the tides of the 1740-ies showed. His refusal was heared as a statement of honour. I by myself like to imagine that slight shock after that bloody encounter when getting this desastrous order to shoot a fatally wounded human. Even in the 1740-ies. As it should be at any time...

And maybe he made more of that victory as it truely was. If nothing else, he didn't raid the field on the 17th...

I'm a direct descendant of James Wolfe and am very proud to be related to such a badass...we actually found his original journal and bought it from a library in London..it's a pretty cool feeling to know we share the same blood. I can only hope that i could make a similar impression on the world.

The ghosts of James Wolfe's fiance and her mother wait at a house in bath for James to return from Quebec. According to Ghost walk of bath.
Am going to the lamb in devizes to hear reefs lead singer. Wolfe stayed there in route to bath.

Hello everyone, I am directly related to James Wolfe and am currently trying to build our family tree. If anyone can help me in any way please email. Thank you
and please also check out this Wolfe video I have recently edited: https://youtu.be/f9Ft1OtTl90

General Wolfe was an ancestor on my late father David Bowermans side. In fact the name Wolfe features strongly still in my family's history having many members with Wolfe in their names.
He appeared to have been a great leader and i am always interested in learning more about him....

I am a descendant of General James Wolfe through my paternal grandmother. My cousin in England has the complete family tree which I am currently hoping to get a copy for my son Dylan. I visited the battlefield in Quebec where he fought his last battle.

As General James Wolfe did not marry or have legitimate children I am interested to know how the above writers are related to him. Does anyone know of any illegitimate child?

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